IMF says not worried by Dubai's debt obligations

The International Monetary Fund is not worried about Dubai's ability to meet its upcoming debt obligations, Masood Ahmed, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, told reporters on Tuesday.

Standard Chartered bank estimates Dubai and its government-related entities (GREs) - companies and agencies backed by the state - have around $48bn of debt obligations coming due between 2014 and 2016.

The emirate was looking at alternative means to repay its debt it asset sales did not materialise, a senior government official said earlier in May.

"Nevertheless debt levels in Dubai remain very high, they are about 100 percent of GDP, there's substantial amount of debt roll over the next few years including part of the debt restructured in 2009. Our view is that its important to deal with these issues proactively and more communication with the investors would be part of that," he added.